Chinese scientist wins the European Inventor Award 2023 with a safer lithium-ion battery
Reducing the risk of battery explosion and fire in electric vehicles
The European Patent Office (EPO) announced the Chinese scientist Kai Wu and his team are winners in the ‘Non-EPO countries’ category of the European Inventor Award 2023. Selected from over 600 candidates, Wu and his team developed a Li-ion battery with a top cover that acts as a barrier to mitigate battery safety risks. The invention helps ensure the safety of vehicles equipped with lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries containing a flammable electrolyte.
The European Patent Office (EPO) honours the Chinese inventor for reducing the risk of battery explosion and fire in electric vehicles
European Patent Office
"It is a great honour to win such a prestigious award, which will shine a path forward to further innovation efforts for me and CATL. What is more, electric vehicles powered by our advanced and safe batteries are enabling more people to embrace a sustainable lifestyle, contributing to the global energy transition. I hope that young inventors around the world adhere to the philosophy of learning more, doing more and asking more, to develop more innovations for the benefit of mankind,” says Kai Wu.
Li-ion batteries are more sustainable with their lighter weight, faster charging capacity, and lower heat generation, ultimately providing cleaner energy. However, overcharging Li-ion batteries has been an issue for decades in the car industry. Yet Wu and his team were able to deliver their solution to a leading car maker, in just two and a half years.
Eliminating the risk of battery overcharging
As explained by Wu, “all markets that are conducive to the reduction of carbon emissions and demand for smart development will benefit from the development of lithium-ion battery technology. In the energy storage industry, lithium-ion batteries have a broader application scenario and development space.”
To ensure the safety of high-performance NCM cells required for long driving range, Kai Wu and his team systematically revealed the pattern from gas generation, heat generation to battery failure, and invented the safety short circuit device (SSD), a protection device integrated into the top cover of the cell. The invention would stop battery charging when it is triggered by gas pressure inside the cell, which results from gas generation due to overcharging, thus eliminating the risk of battery failure caused by overcharging.
Other news from the department science
![[Fe]-hydrogenase catalysis visualized using para-hydrogen-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy](https://img.chemie.de/Portal/News/675fd46b9b54f_sBuG8s4sS.png?tr=w-712,h-534,cm-extract,x-0,y-16:n-xl)
These products might interest you
Battery Testing Services by Battery Dynamics
Learn more about the performance and service life of your battery cells in less time
Benefit from modern measurement technology and an experienced team
Batt-TDS by ystral
YSTRAL Batt-TDS mixing and dispersing machine
Boost your battery slurry process
Get the chemical industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for the chemical industry, analytics, lab technology and process engineering brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic World Battery Technology
The topic world Battery Technology combines relevant knowledge in a unique way. Here you will find everything about suppliers and their products, webinars, white papers, catalogs and brochures.
Topic World Battery Technology
The topic world Battery Technology combines relevant knowledge in a unique way. Here you will find everything about suppliers and their products, webinars, white papers, catalogs and brochures.
